I long for the days when we could argue, debate, disagree vehemently with each other, then have a barbecue and play volleyball in the back yard. Our divides didn't define our relationships.
I had a friend, Tom, back in college, who was a funny, loud, and sometimes crude sort of fellow. Perhaps he was a bit of a philosopher. He'd often say, "Life is tough, then you die." That sounds remarkably similar to the philosophers' quotes you wrote. He used to do a lot of zany things that made people laugh, like he'd sing a variation of Frank Valli's song "Can't Take My Eyes Off You," except that he changed the lyrics to "I'm just too good to be true. Can't take my eyes off of me. I'm just like heaven to touch. I love me so much..." He also, for some unknown reason, collected empty toilet paper rolls and stacked them in a pyramid in his dorm bedroom. Crazy Tom went on to get his PhD in industrial psychology and became a full professor at the University of Washington. Unfortunately, he passed away a few years ago.
I can remember having civil discussions with people and then we agreed to disagree. Now I just don’t bring the subjects up that I know we don’t agree on.
I confess that I may have used the H-word in reference to the dreaded Brussel sprout. Why does it have to taste like that? But as I grew in tolerance and imagination I discovered that virtually any vile vegetable can be made into a delicious and delectable dish with the proper application of heat, butter, pancetta and copious amounts of garlic. Especially, when rendered into a crunchy orb finished with a balsamic reduction.
If I can eat a Brussel sprout, I have to believe there is hope for a civil society.
Yes! Mrs. B makes delicious crunchy style B sprouts (uses a little honey). My mom used to boil them. I'd surreptitiously drop them in my napkin and get rid of them later. 😱
I long for the days when we could argue, debate, disagree vehemently with each other, then have a barbecue and play volleyball in the back yard. Our divides didn't define our relationships.
I long for Firing Line, hour long robust debates without rancor
I had a friend, Tom, back in college, who was a funny, loud, and sometimes crude sort of fellow. Perhaps he was a bit of a philosopher. He'd often say, "Life is tough, then you die." That sounds remarkably similar to the philosophers' quotes you wrote. He used to do a lot of zany things that made people laugh, like he'd sing a variation of Frank Valli's song "Can't Take My Eyes Off You," except that he changed the lyrics to "I'm just too good to be true. Can't take my eyes off of me. I'm just like heaven to touch. I love me so much..." He also, for some unknown reason, collected empty toilet paper rolls and stacked them in a pyramid in his dorm bedroom. Crazy Tom went on to get his PhD in industrial psychology and became a full professor at the University of Washington. Unfortunately, he passed away a few years ago.
Sounds like a great character for a novel, Bob.
I can remember having civil discussions with people and then we agreed to disagree. Now I just don’t bring the subjects up that I know we don’t agree on.
A sad state of affairs indeed.
Good stuff here. Thanks.
👍
I confess that I may have used the H-word in reference to the dreaded Brussel sprout. Why does it have to taste like that? But as I grew in tolerance and imagination I discovered that virtually any vile vegetable can be made into a delicious and delectable dish with the proper application of heat, butter, pancetta and copious amounts of garlic. Especially, when rendered into a crunchy orb finished with a balsamic reduction.
If I can eat a Brussel sprout, I have to believe there is hope for a civil society.
Yes! Mrs. B makes delicious crunchy style B sprouts (uses a little honey). My mom used to boil them. I'd surreptitiously drop them in my napkin and get rid of them later. 😱